Wrapping up the year

Looking at what I’ve done this year. There have been some very slow months, but overall, it’s gone quite well.

• I’ve written more than 120,000 words to date (which would be enough for two full cozy mysteries or one nice-sized fantasy or science-fiction novel if I hadn’t done so many short projects and flitted around from flower to flower).
• I have three current serials running: one on my blog on Tuesdays, one monthly in the newsletter, and one (illustrated) in my daughter’s lunch notes.
• I’ve read a ton of books (and realized yet again that I will never read everything I want to). I’m currently reading a few nonfiction works, but I’m still working on the piles of MG and YA titles as well.
• I did volunteer work at the school store for the boy during the first part of the year, formatting the SFWA Forum, and reading for the Norton Award jury.
• I picked up one steady copyediting gig and received other freelance work from both old and new clients.
• I joined some new social media networks and launched my newsletter (subscribe below if you haven’t already!).

On the flip side,

• I haven’t been exercising much, my ankle is in almost constant pain, and my muscles get cramps more easily than they used to. (Why yes, these are all inter-related.)
• So much to read!
• And, as always, still trying to figure out the best time balance to get enough paying work done and write as much as I want, while still spending time with family and doing my crafts and my reading and . . .

Today’s post was inspired by the topic “Conclusions” — December’s topic in the Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour — an ongoing tour where you, the reader, travel around the world from author’s blog to author’s blog. We have all sorts of writers at all stages in their writing career, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to check out the next posts in the series, by Sandra Barret and D. M. Bonanno.

If you want to get to know nearly twenty other writers and find out their thoughts on first stories, check out the Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour. You can find links to all of the posts on the tour by checking out the group site. Read and enjoy!